Program Leader (Spring - Summer 2026)

Program Leader (Spring - Summer 2026) Rustic Pathways is a student travel organization that offers the world's finest experiential education, community service, foreign language, and adventure programs.

Our destinations stretch from the white-sand beaches of Fiji to the rainforest canopies of Costa Rica, the high Atlas mountains to the Great Barrier Reef, and many places in between.

We provide superior quality travel and service in some of the most welcoming countries for students around the world.

Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of our operations, insists on quality in all aspects of our programs, and places a strong emphasis on the protection, safety, and well-being of our students and staff.

We empower students through innovative and responsible travel experiences to positively impact lives and communities around the world.

Program Leader at Rustic Pathways The Position As a Program Leader, you are a visitor in the country of operation.

Your primary responsibility is the care and well-being of our students while they travel .

You are a primary responder in all escalated situations, incidents, and emergencies.

In partnership with your co-leader, you’ll collaborate to create a safe and successful program experience for all Rustic Pathways students.

You’ll work directly with local leaders, community partners, activity operators, and Rustic Pathways managers.

You are a liaison between the program experience and all stakeholders, providing trip updates and managing communication with parents and the global Rustic Pathways team.

Expect to spend long days in some of the most welcoming communities on the planet.

Community service professionals, customer service experts, globally conscious travelers, logistics lovers, and youth development facilitators are encouraged to apply.

Rustic Pathways is committed to increasing diversity in our staff and recognizes the benefit of having a diverse, inclusive work environment.

We actively encourage those from equity-seeking groups to apply.

We believe in the value of diverse perspectives and experiences represented by our leaders.

Must be safety-oriented, with a passion for experiential education.

The position requires a lot of physical and emotional stamina.  This is a seasonal position.

Responsibilities Embody Rustic Pathways’ mission, vision, and values Act as a role model and mentor to students Protect the safety of students and children by abiding by our zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior Monitor and manage student well-being Follow Rustic Pathways’ protocols while on the program Address any student health issues and communicate action plans with parents  Communicate daily updates and photos to our team to share with parents, and provide real-time info regarding student health and behavioral issues Respond calmly to issues as they arise with a focus on customer service and safety Demonstrate responsible leadership and judgment, including cultural sensitivity Create positive and inclusive group dynamics Partner with local Program Leaders to ensure students understand the history, culture, and context of the places visited Model responsible travel by adhering to Rustic Pathways' sustainability protocols Facilitate discussions drawing from your own personal experience and Rustic Pathways' discussion guides Job Qualifications Experience :

• At least 2 years of relevant experience in service-learning, tourism, outdoor leadership, youth mentorship, customer service, or experiential education.

At least 2 years of experience working with young adults and / or adolescents At least 6 months of experience living and / or working in an international, multicultural, or cross-cultural environment Education :

Certificates must be submitted to Rustic Pathways at least three weeks prior to the start of Program Leader training Fluency in Spanish is required for Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Peru Professional working proficiency in Arabic, Burmese, Fijian, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Karen, Khmer, Italian, Japanese, Lao, Mandarin Chinese, Mongolian, Nepali, Quechua, Shan, Swahili, Thai, or Vietnamese is a plus A valid driver's license and a clean driving record are required for programs in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand Working knowledge in the following areas and / or roles :

TEFL / TESL) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Compensation :

A Note About Equal Employment Opportunity Questions :

Equal Opportunity :

At-Will Notice :